Antiseptic - double-edged sword

Using an antiseptic can cause bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics as well as the same antiseptic. This study may be an important suggestion in controlling the spread of infections in hospital settings.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria under a microscope - Photo: jazzroc.wordpress

Researchers at the National University of Ireland at Galway discovered that when they increased the amount of antiseptic to cultivate Pseudomonas aeruginosa (green pus bacillus) in the laboratory, the bacteria could adapt to survive not only with antiseptic but also with ciprofloxacin, a common antibiotic without any expression.

They proved that bacteria adapted to effectively remove antimicrobials (antiseptics and antibiotics) from bacterial cells. Adaptive bacteria also have DNA alterations, allowing them to resist ciprofloxacin, a specific antibiotic.

P. Aeruginosa is an opportunistic bacterium that can cause widespread infections in patients with weak immune systems and patients with diseases such as cystic fibrosis (CF) and diabetes.

P. Aeruginosa is an important cause of hospital infections. Antiseptic is used to kill surface bacteria to prevent their spread. If the bacteria can still survive and continue to infect patients, people will take antibiotics for treatment.

When bacteria become resistant to both drugs, this will be a dangerous threat to patients at the hospital.

It is important that this study shows that when adding a small amount of antiseptic is not enough to kill cultured bacteria, adaptive bacteria can almost outperform non-adapted bacteria.

Dr. Gerard Fleming, head of the study, said: 'In principle, this means that the excess of improperly diluted antiseptic remains on surfaces at the hospital can promote the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria. More worryingly, it seems that bacteria can adapt to antibiotic resistance without any expression. '

Dr. Fleming also emphasized the importance of studying environmental factors that can promote drug resistance.

'We need to study the effects of using more antiseptics in promoting antibiotic resistance. This will first increase the effectiveness of antiseptic treatment and antibiotics, against hospital infections'.